BMWBLOG Podcast

Topics covered: Sean's 2025 M340i: 46K miles, 29.9 MPG average, zero major issues Why the M340i makes more sense than an M3 as a daily Nate's E46 M3: bought for $23K in 2010, now a garage queen Should he sell it or pass it to his daughter? Horatiu's 1M: just back from full restoration at Precision Sport Industries BMW 550e vs M5 — the controversial daily driver take Best BMW daily driver picks across every series: 2, 3, 5, X3, X5, X7 Find out more at https://bmwblog-podcast.pinecast.co

In this BMWBLOG Podcast episode, Horatiu and Nate recap recent BMW drives: the BMW M2 CS on track in heavy rain at Michelin’s Laurens Proving Grounds, a first drive of the Neue Klasse iX3 in southern Spain with time at Ascari, and ownership-style impressions of the 2025 BMW M5 Touring . Topics include Cup 2 vs PS4S tire strategy, how the iX3’s “Heart of Joy” impacts driving dynamics, smoother regen and EV usability, and where the new M5 fits in the modern BMW M lineup. Find out more at https://bmwblog-podcast.pinecast.co

Join the BMWBLOG team for a deep dive into the latest from Munich and beyond. In this episode, we break down the rumors of a potential BMW off-road project , share raw impressions from behind the wheel of a BMW M3 with a six-speed manual and discuss the industry-shaking possibility of BMW supplying engines to Mercedes-Benz . To top it off, we take you inside the future of the brand with first-hand impressions of the BMW iX3 prototype , BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse electric SUV. Whether you’re here for rumors, driving experiences, or insider analysis, this podcast brings you closer to the world of BMW. Find out more at https://bmwblog-podcast.pinecast.co

Join BMW M CEO Frank van Meel, Head of Design Oliver Heilmer, and factory racing legend Augusto Farfus as they tackle the hottest questions in the world of M—live, unscripted, and straight from the source. Topics: The real reason BMW M hasn’t built a supercar Why Formula 1 isn’t part of BMW’s current strategy The first-ever fully electric M3 What makes the new M5 tick Behind-the-scenes design decisions and motorsport feedback Find out more at https://bmwblog-podcast.pinecast.co

Get ready for the real story behind one of BMW’s most legendary achievements – the Guinness World Record for the longest drift! In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Matt Mullins, BMW’s Chief Driving Instructor at the BMW Performance Driving Schools. From his early passion for driving to over two decades of experience shaping drivers of all skill levels, Matt shares insights from a career that’s taken him from racetracks to Hollywood film sets. We cover Matt’s incredible journey, including: How he discovered his passion for professional driving. Why he’s stayed loyal to BMW for more than 20 years. Training everyone from pro athletes to Secret Service agents. His experience performing high-octane stunts in the BMW Films revival “The Escape” with Clive Owen. Behind-the-scenes details from blockbuster movies The technical and mental challenges of setting BMW’s Guinness World Record eight-hour drift, including the jaw-dropping mid-drift refueling stunt. Matt also shares advice for BMW M car owners on unlocking their vehicle’s true performance potential through proper training, and offers inspiration for anyone dreaming of a career in performance driving or stunt work. Finally, we ask the ultimate BMW enthusiast questions: What’s Matt’s favorite BMW of all time? What’s his dream track to drive it on? Don’t miss this deep dive into the passion, precision, and performance that define BMW’s driving culture – told by one of the brand’s most accomplished insiders. 00:00 Welcome to Episode 14 with Matt Mullins 01:30 The BMW M5 World Drift Record Explained 03:45 Johan Schwartz’s Original Drift Record Idea 06:20 The Car-to-Car Refueling Concept 08:15 Convincing BMW to Approve the Stunt 11:30 Engineering the Refueling Rig with Detroit Speed 15:10 GoPro Joins the Project, Testing Begins 17:00 Technical Challenges: Heat, Grip, and Control 20:30 Meet Matt Butts, The Man Hanging Out the Window 24:00 How They Pulled Off the 8-Hour Drift Record 28:15 Breaking the Tandem Drift Record 31:20 Johan Schwartz’s Endurance Behind the Wheel 33:45 Behind the Scenes of BMW Films: The Escape 38:00 Driving with Dakota Fanning and John Bernthal 42:10 Matt Mullins' Racing Origins and Career Start 48:00 From NASCAR to BMW Chief Driving Instructor 51:45 Evolution of BMW's Driving Schools Since 2001 56:00 Why BMW’s Schools Beat Traditional Track Days 59:45 Overconfident Drivers: The Reality Check 1:03:15 The Value of BMW’s Teen Driver Training 1:07:10 Practicing High-Speed Emergency Maneuvers 1:10:30 Why Driver Skill Still Matters in Modern Cars 1:13:00 Even Pros Make Mistakes: Pike’s Peak and MotoGP Crashes 1:17:45 Horatiu’s X4 M Off-Track Moment 1:21:00 BMW’s Culture of Pushing Limits and Learning Find out more at https://bmwblog-podcast.pinecast.co

Thinking about how to properly maintain your BMW? In this episode, we’re joined by Sean Myers from Precision Sport Industries to walk you through everything you need to know about keeping your BMW in peak condition. From essential BMW preventive maintenance tips to identifying common warning signs, we break down what every BMW owner should watch out for. Sean shares his expert insights on the most frequent issues seen in BMWs and how to avoid costly repairs by staying ahead with the right care. Find out more at https://bmwblog-podcast.pinecast.co

2024 is a milestone year for BMW, filled with legendary anniversaries! In this special episode, we celebrate: 50 Years of the BMW 3 Series – The evolution of the world’s favorite compact sport sedan 40 Years of the BMW M3 – From the legendary E30 to today’s high-performance icon 🇺 50 Years of BMW USA – How BMW conquered America and shaped the Ultimate Driving Machine Join us as we dive deep into BMW history with Tom Plucinsky, Head of BMW Classic USA, and Sean Myers, CEO of Precision Sport Industries. We explore the legacy, engineering marvels, and personal stories behind BMW’s most iconic models. BMW 3 Series: The birth of a legend, its seven generations, and its motorsport DNA BMW M3: What makes it the ultimate driver’s car? Which M3 generation is the most underrated? BMW USA: How the brand built its reputation in America, from motorsports to the Spartanburg plant Find out more at https://bmwblog-podcast.pinecast.co

Get ready for an exciting podcast episode where we dive into all things BMW with our special guests Thomas Holland from Throttle House. From the latest BMW M5 to the powerful BMW XM and the manual-transmission M2, we cover it all. But that’s not all! We also explore the world of YouTube content creation. Ever wondered what it takes to be successful on YouTube? Thomas shares valuable insights, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories about growing a channel, engaging an audience, and what it's really like to be a top automotive content creator. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or just curious about the world of YouTube, this podcast episode has something for everyone. Tune in for an engaging conversation packed with car talk, expert advice, and a few laughs along the way. Intro 0:00 Thomas's first BMW 1:10 F87 M2: N55 or S55 2:00 Useful mods for the M2 4:00 The infamous G87 M2 Review 11:35 Thoughts on BMW XM 20:40 Thomas' favorite BMW 25:45 Youtube and content creation 27:40 What's next for Throttle House? 33:15 Filming misadventures 38:35 Why should people trust YouTubers? 43:00 Why the Lotus Emira? 54:00 Best restomod driven? 56:30 Are lightweight cars still possible? 01:00:00 Will customers track the new M5? 01:07:00 Opinion on electric cars 01:07:30 Opinion on kidney grilles 01:12:00 Find out more at https://bmwblog-podcast.pinecast.co

This episode is exclusively dedicated to the new BMW M5 Sedan and M5 Touring. In the first part of the podcast, Nate and Horatiu talk about the weight of the new M5, in the context of previous generation M5 models. We also talk about the hybrid drivetrain and compare it to the system in the new Porsche 911. Lastly, we share our thoughts on the BMW M5 Touring and why this is our favorite M car today. Find out more at https://bmwblog-podcast.pinecast.co

This week on our podcast, we're excited to have Chris Hardy, Senior Director of Sales at XPEL, join us to discuss the benefits of Paint Protection Film (PPF). We delve into the pros and cons of PPF versus ceramic coating, offering you an in-depth comparison. Chris also shares his insights on window tinting and why it's a worthwhile consideration for vehicle owners. In addition, Chris gives us an exclusive preview of some upcoming XPEL products. Our conversation is packed with valuable information on caring for your BMW, protecting it, and the essential steps you need to take to keep it in top condition. Don't miss this episode!

In this episode, Nate and Horatiu dive into their latest automotive adventures, discussing their test drives of the BMW X3 G45, the i4 eDrive40, and other exciting models. Following that, we explore the recently unveiled BMW Vision Neue Klasse X, sharing our insights and impressions. We conclude the podcast with an in-depth long-term review of the BMW iX M60, which has been a staple in our garage over the past few months.

Recently, we had the privilege of getting an early look at two volumes from the captivating three-book series, “BMW by Design” and “BMW’s Hidden Gems” , authored by Steve Saxty. The titles we explored were "BMW by Design" and "BMW’s Hidden Gems." Seizing this unique opportunity, we invited Saxty onto our podcast to dive deep into the narratives behind some unknown BMW projects and designs. A standout chat was about the BMW i16 Supercar, a project shrouded in mystery and ultimately shelved in 2020. Saxty didn't stop there; he shares with us tales of BMW's innovative design endeavors, such as the BMW 2K2—a conceptual forerunner to the 1 Series—and the 2002 Turbo Hommage, among others. His insights provided a rare glimpse into the intricate world of BMW's design philosophy and the uncharted paths the company has navigated over the years.

In today's episode, Horatiu and Nate delve into various BMW topics, spotlighting the new BMW Z4 M40i with a six-speed manual. Horatiu had the opportunity to test-drive a prototype version of the car and will share his insights on the revamped manual and the overall driving experience of the Z4. Next on the agenda is the BMW iX M60, exploring the realities of living with an electric car, the charging process, and more. Nate recently took the BMW 760i for a spin, and he offers his perspectives on the luxury aspects of the new 7 Series. To wrap things up, we shift our focus to the Tesla Cybertruck, sparking a conversation about whether BMW should consider building a luxury pickup truck in the future. It's an episode brimming with information, so buckle up and give it a listen!

This week on the BMWBLOG Podcast, Nate reunites with Horatiu for a new episode. Our focus today revolves around the recent Test Fest organized by BMW of North America, showcasing a fleet of over 100 cars for testing. We had the opportunity to experience six of them, ranging from diverse SUVs to electric cars and sports cars. Additionally, we delve into the ongoing journey with our long-term BMW iX M60, exploring the nuances of living with an electric car. To wrap it up, we share insights on trading our BMW i3 for the new i4. capping off with a discussion on the latest buzz in the BMW world — a potential all-electric BMW M3 - iM3. Let's dive into the details! Intro 0:00 BMW i5 M60 on track 02:20 i5 vs 530i 10:20 BMW X5 50e 17:40 BMW X5 M60i 22:30 BMW XM Label 25:30 New BMW M5 38:50 MINI Countryman JCW 39:10 BMW iX M60 41:10 Charging electric cars 48:15 Traded a BMW i3 55:20 Crazy BMW i4 Spec 59:15 BMW i3 - The perfect car? 1:11:00 BMW iM3 1:13:00

BMWBLOG podcast hosts Nate and Horatiu interviewed racing driver Samantha Tan. During the podcast, Samantha discussed her racing career, how she initially got involved in racing, and her experiences racing the BMW M4 GT3. She also talked about her strong affinity for the BMW brand, which began with her admiration for the E36 M3 and later led her to own a BMW 1M. She currently drives a BMW XM and awaiting a BMW M8 Coupe as well. Furthermore, Samantha shared an intriguing story about her acquisition of one of only two BMW 3.0 CSL models in the United States. This particular model is valued at $750,000. The podcast likely delved into the details of how Samantha was able to acquire such a rare and valuable car and her experiences with it. Intro 0:00 The BMW Journey 1:19 My 1M 2:00 Racing Career 6:50 The journey to M4 GT3 10:51 The life of a race car driver 12:45 F1 favorite team and driver 15:35 Favorite race track 22:05 Others BMWs I owned 24:00 Thoughts on BMW XM 24:45 M3 Touring and M5 Touring 26:50 M2 Thoughts 31:50 Cars I'd like to own 33:50 Bought the $750K 3.0 CSL 35:00 2023 Plans 41:00 My unique livery 43:10 Horatiu's Thoughts on the 1M 50:10 M School @Indy 54:00

In this new episode of the BMWBLOG Podcast, Horatiu and Nate sit down to talk about their recent test drive of the new 2023 BMW M2. The duo traveled to the BMW Performance Center to test the new M2 against the F87 M2 CS, the 1M and the M3 with a rear-wheel drive. They also drove the 2024 BMW M3 CS and will share their thoughts on the car and weather is worth the upgrade over the M3 Competition. They also give us some insight into what it means to test cars and into what goes on behind the scenes.

Welcome back to our podcast, where we bring you the latest and greatest in the world of BMWs. In today's episode, we have a lot to cover, so sit tight and enjoy the ride! First off, we have some exciting news to share. James recently purchased a BMW M3 CS G80 and traded it in for his F80 M3 CS. He shares his experience on the new M3 CS and gives us his honest opinion on why he's giving up the older M3 CS. Next up, Horatiu takes us for a spin in the highly anticipated BMW i7 and shares his driving impressions with us. He also got the chance to drive the BMW iX5 Hydrogen and shares his thoughts on this revolutionary car. Moving on to design, James and Horatiu discuss the BMW i Vision Dee and the future of BMW's design language. They also talk about the BMW Color changing car and the possibilities it presents. In addition, Horatiu shares his personal experience of owning a BMW 1M and why he loves this car so much. He also had the chance to drive the BMW M2 Mixed reality and shares his thoughts on this unique driving experience. Last but not least, Horatiu teases us with some exciting news. He will soon be test driving the new BMW XM and M2 and promises to give us an in-depth review in the near future. So, there you have it folks, a jam-packed podcast full of exciting BMW content. Thanks for listening! 00:00 Intro 01:40 Ordering the G80 M3 CS 06:00 M3 CS color 20:00 BMW i7 test drive 30:00 BMW i Vision Dee 32:00 New Head-up Display 41:00 Color changing BMW 44:00 M2 Mixed Reality Driving 49:00 BMW iX5 Hydrogen Review 59:00 Driving classic BMWs 1:02:00 Driving on the road side of the road 1:06:00 Driving a Rolls-Royce 1:09:00 Owning a BMW 1M

The BMWBLOG Podcast Season 2 is here and we start off with a review of the BMW M4 CSL. Nico shares his experience behind the wheel of the M4 CSL during a test drive in California. Next, Chuck joins us to share some winter tips for electric cars. He's owned several EVs over the years, including 3 BMW i3 electric cars. We also talk about the challenges of charging infrastructure and how to overcome them. Lastly, Nico and Chuck review the BMW iX, one of the best electric vehicles on sale today and a flagship car for BMW.

In this episode, James and Horatiu sit down with Esteban Valentin, BMW CCA M Chapter President to talk about his impressive collection of M cars and his beginnings with the BMW brand. Esteban is the proud owner of some some exciting BMW models, like a BMW 2002tii, E30 325iS, E46 M3, and more. We also talk about his BMW M2 tuning project and also about the electrified future of the BMW M brand. And we even touch on the BMW European Delivery, one of the most exciting programs BMW has ever offered. Lastly, Esteban shares with us his thoughts on the ideal BMW garage.

In this episode, we cover a wide range of BMW M topics. New BMW M2 test drive, with a manual and 8-speed automatic transmission A ride in the BMW M4 CSL at Goodwood Festival of Speed Customers' reaction to the BMW M3 Touring BMW 230i Coupe test drive BMW Subscription model and what it means for customers